Soybeam seed extract, method for producing the same and uses thereof

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a soybean seed extract, method for producing the same and uses of the extract of soybean seeds in promoting wound healing, promoting neuron cell proliferation and/or treating brain diseases and/or neurodegenerative diseases, treating breast cancer, reducing side effects of interfering with DNA and/or RNA replication drugs and/or enhancing pharmaceutical effects of interfering with DNA and/or RNA replication drugs.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a soybean seeds extract, method for producingthe same and uses of the soybean seed extract in promoting woundhealing, promoting neuron cell proliferation and/or treating braindiseases and/or neurodegenerative diseases, treating breast cancer,reducing side effects of interfering with DNA and/or RNA replicationdrugs, and/or enhancing pharmaceutical effects of interfering with DNAand/or RNA replication drugs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Glycine max (L.) Merr., including soybean and black soybean, is one ofthe most important sources of oil and proteins in the world. Forinstance, soybeans can be processed to obtain edible oil that is used assalad oil, or for manufacture of margarine and shortening. Soybean oilcan be also used in the manufacture of paints, linoleum, oilcloth,printing inks, soaps, insecticides, and disinfectants. Besides, lecithinphospholipids obtained from the by-products of the oil industry, can beused as wetting and stabilizing agents in food, cosmetics,pharmaceuticals, leathers, paints, plastics, soaps, and detergents. Soymeal is a very protein-rich feeding stuff for livestock. In addition,soybean protein can be used in manufacture of synthetic fibers,adhesives, textile sizing, waterproofing, fire-fighting foams and so on.

In medical use, soybeans have been reported to have effects on manydiseases.

Soybean can be used as a nutritious supplement for regulating thefunctions of bowels, heart, kidney, liver, and stomach. Since soybeanoil contains a high amount of unsaturated fatty acids, it can be used tocombat hypercholesteremia. Medical lecithin from soybeans functions as alipotropic agent. In addition, tigmasterol known as an antistiffnessfactor, and sitosterol used as a replacement for diosgenin in someantihypertensive drugs, are prepared from soybeans. Isoflavones andphyto-oesterogens found in soybeans have been suggested to have apreventive effect against various cancers comprising breast, prostate,and colon cancers (Adlercreutz, H.; Phyto-oestrogens and cancer. TheLancet Oncology, 2002, Vol. 3, p. 364-373). Other literature indicatesthat in order to achieve the effect on preventing the occurrence ofbreast cancer of isoflavones, at least 100 mg daily dose should beconsumed continually for a month, and it represents that only by beingconsumed continually at the high dose, isoflavones exhibit anti-cancereffect (Lu L J, Anderson K E, Grady J J, Nagamani M.; Effects of soyaconsumption for one month on steroid hormones in premenopausal women:implications for breast cancer risk reduction. Cancer EpidemiolBiomarkers Prev. 1996 January; 5(1): 6370). Consumption ofphytosterol-supplemented margarine is also found to lower total plasmacholesterol and LDL-cholesterol concentrations in older middle-agedhypercholesterolemic individuals (Matvienko, O. A., Lewis, D. S.,Swanson, M., Aendt, B., Rainwater, D. L., Stewart, J., and Alekel, D.L.; A single daily dose of soybean phytosterols in ground beef decreasesserum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in young, mildlyhypercholesterolemic men. Am J Clin Nutr., 2002, 76, p. 57 64).

Some extracts from soybean have been also reported to havepharmaceutical effects. 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)radical-scavenging activity of 70% aqueous acetone extract from the seedcoat of a brown soybean variety, Akita-Zairai, is disclosed (Takahata,Y., O.-Kameyama, M., Furuta, S., Takahashi, M., and Suda, 1.; Highlypolymerized procyanidins in brown soybean seed coat with a highradical-scavenging activity. J. Agric. Food Chem., 2001, 49, p. 58435847). An extract from germ extracts, soybean, rice bran, tear grass,sesame, wheat, citron, green tea, green leaf extract, and malted rice,which are slowly roasted under a temperature at less than 60° C. andfermented with Aspergillus oryzae over 3 days to transform eachingredient into low molecular weight substances, is found to haveantioxidative effects (Minamiyama, Y., Yoshikawa, T., Tanigawa, T.,Takahashi, S., Naito, Y., Ichikawa, H., and Kondo, M.; Antioxidativeeffects of a processed grain food. J. Nutr. Sci. Vitaminol., 1994, 40,p. 467 477). Water extract of black soybean is also reported to effecton acetaminophen-induced liver injury by measuring serumglutamate-oxalate-transaminase (sGOT) and serumglutamate-pyruvate-transaminase (sGPT) activities in rats (Wu, S.-J.,Wang, J.-S. and Chang, C.-H.; Evaluation of hepatoprotective activity oflegumes. Phytomedicine, 2001, Vol. 8(3), p. 213 219).

Some specific extracts from soybean have been found to be applied incosmetics or pharmaceuticals in treating some skin diseases. A soyaextract, which contains sphingomyelins and phospholipids in definedratios is disclosed to be used in cosmetics for the treatment of dryskin (U.S. Patent Pub. No. US2002/0009509 A1). Such extract is producedby extracting ripe whole soya beans or oil-free soya flour usingaliphatic alcohols alone or in a mixture with water and followed by thetreatment with aliphatic hydrocarbons and with aliphatic ketones.Therefore, the extract is liposoluble.

An acne medicine, cosmetic production inhibitor or cosmetic compositioncontaining one or more plant extracts selected from whey, and aPhellodendeon amurense Ruprecht extract, and further one or moreextracts selected from Scutellaria baicalensis Geoegi, Symphytumofficinale Linne, and Glycine max (L.) Merrill, is found to be effectiveon preventing or treating skin diseases such as acne or inflammatorychapped skin caused by the acne (JP Patent No. 2001097842).

Products of fermenting soybean by microorganisms are also applied asanti-active oxygen action compositions, agents, foods, cosmetics andmedicines (such as JP Patent No. 4139132).

Although many uses of soybeans have been reported, differentapplications of soybean extract are yet to be developed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a soybean seed extract, method for producingthe same and uses of the soybean seed extract in promoting woundhealing, promoting neuron cell proliferation and/or treating braindiseases and/or neurodegenerative diseases, treating breast cancer,reducing side effects of interfering with DNA and/or RNA replicationdrugs, and/or enhancing pharmaceutical effects of interfering with DNAand/or RNA replication drugs.

The invention is to provide an extract composition comprising a soybeanseed extract, which soybean seed extract is prepared by a processcomprising steps of:

-   -   (a) providing soybean seeds and an extracting solution, which        extracting solution is water or an alcohol solution containing        alcohol at the concentration lower than about 90 wt %;    -   (b) extracting the soybean seeds with the extracting solution at        a barometric pressure lower than about 1 atm and at a        temperature lower than about 60° C. to obtain an crude extract;        and    -   (c) removing solids from the crude extract to obtain a liquid        portion.

The present invention is also to provide a method for preparing theextract composition as mentioned above comprising a process forpreparing the soybean seed extract comprising steps of:

-   -   (a) providing soybean seeds and an extracting solution, which        extracting solution is water or an alcohol solution containing        alcohol at the concentration lower than about 90 wt %;    -   (b) extracting the soybean seeds with the extracting solution at        a barometric pressure lower than about 1 atm and at a        temperature lower than about 60° C. to obtain an crude extract;        and    -   (c) removing solids from the crude extract to obtain a liquid        portion.

The present invention is also to provide use of the extract compositionas mentioned above in the manufacture of a medicament of promoting woundhealing.

The present invention is also to provide a method for promoting woundhealing in a subject in need of such promotion comprising administeringto said subject an effective amount of the extract composition asmentioned above.

The present invention is also to provide use of the extract compositionas mentioned above in the manufacture of a medicament of promotingneuron cell proliferation and/or treating brain diseases and/orneurodegenerative diseases.

The present invention is also to provide a method for promoting neuroncell proliferation and/or treating brain diseases and/orneurodegenerative diseases in a subject in need of such promotion and/ortreatment comprising administering to said subject an effective amountof the extract composition as mentioned above.

The present invention is also to provide use of the extract compositionas mentioned above in the manufacture of a medicament of treating breastcancer.

The present invention is also to provide a method for treating breastcancer in a subject in need of such treatment comprising administeringto said subject an effective amount of the extract composition asmentioned above.

The present invention is also to provide use of the extract compositionas mentioned above in the manufacture of a medicament of reducing sideeffects of interfering with DNA and/or RNA replication drugs and/orenhancing pharmaceutical effects of interfering with DNA and/or RNAreplication drugs.

The present invention is also to provide a method for reducing sideeffects of interfering with DNA and/or RNA replication drugs and/orenhancing pharmaceutical effects of interfering with DNA and/or RNAreplication drugs in a subject in need of such reduction and/orenhancement comprising administering to said subject an effective amountof the extract composition as mentioned above.

The present invention is described in detail in the following sections.Other characteristics, purposes and advantages of the present inventioncan be found in the detailed description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 to 3 show the ion chromatography spectrograms of the soybeanseed extract (GMA1) according to the invention.

FIGS. 4 to 6 show the ion chromatography spectrograms of the soybeanseed vapor fraction (GMC1) according to the invention.

FIG. 7 shows the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)spectrogram of the isoflavones standard.

FIG. 8 shows the HPLC spectrogram of the soybean seed vapor fraction(GMC1).

FIG. 9 shows the HPLC spectrogram of the extract composition containing0.3 part by weight of the soybean seed extract (GMA1) and 1 part byweight of the soybean seed vapor fraction (GMC1).

FIG. 10 shows the effects of GMA1 and GMC1 on diabetic wound healing. Toinvestigate whether GMC1 and GMA1 have effects on improving woundclosure, a STZ-induced diabetic rat model was utilized. For comparison,two groups treated with cream base and CGS-21680 were also conducted.The results show that both 0.3% GMA1 and GMC1 are effective on wouldclosure, compared to cream base alone, and 0.3% GMA1 treated groupslightly exhibits better outcome in wound closure than GMC1.

FIG. 11 shows the effects of different dosages of GMA1 in combinationwith GMC1 on diabetic wound healing. Experiments were conducted to studythe best combination of GMA1 and GMC1 in diabetic wound closure. Asshown in FIG. 11, the GMA1 was combined with GMC1 at differentconcentrations: 0.009%, 0.045% and 0.09%, respectively. For comparison,two groups treated with cream base and CGS-21680 were also conducted inall experimental studies. The results show that for wound healing, thecombination effects of the dose levels, 0.009%, 0.045% and 0.09%, ofGMA1 with GMC1 are better than GMC1 alone. The most effectivecombination treatment is found in the highest dosage of GMA1 (0.09%).

FIG. 12 shows the effects of combinations of the soybean seed extractand soybean seed vapor fraction on HaCaT cell migration.

FIG. 13 shows the cell viability rates of IMR-32 cells treated withGMA1. The data are shown as the means±SEM of seven groups. The viabilityrates of IMR-32 cells treated with 25 mg/ml GMA and positive control arehighly significantly and significantly increased (GMA1 p=00.0008,positive control p=0.0246). The results show that GMA1 promotes cellgrowth (*** p<0.001).

FIG. 14 shows the cell viability rates of IMR-32 cells treated withGMC1. The data are shown as the means±SEM of seven groups. The viabilityrates of IMR-32 treated with 25 mg/ml GMC1 and positive control arehighly significantly and significantly increased (GMC1 p=00.0255positive control p=0.0246). The results show that GMC1 promotes cellgrowth (* p<0.05).

FIG. 15 shows the cell viability rates of IMR-32 cells treated with GMA1and GMC1 (GM). The data are shown as the means±SEM of seven groups. Theviability rate of IMR-32 cells treated with 25 mg/ml GM and positivecontrol are highly significantly and significantly increased (GMp=0.0059, positive control p=0.0246). The results show that GM promotescell growth (** p<0.01).

FIG. 16 shows the diagram of the radial arm maze.

FIG. 17 shows the tracking paths of dementia rats in a radial arm maze.The tracking path of rats on Day 4 suggests that the rats in theAlCl₃+N2 group are able to reach locations of baits with their memoryafter training, and the rats in the AlCl₃ group and AlCl₃+cream basegroup are not.

FIG. 18 shows the diagram of the total number of errors (TME) ofdementia rats in the radial arm maze test. The TME values of AlCl₃ groupand AlCl₃+cream base group show no significant difference (p>0.05), andthe TME values on Day 4 after the treatment of the extract compositioncomprising the soybean seed extract and soybean seed vapor fraction aresignificantly lower than those of AlCl₃ group (AlCl₃+N2 p=0.0128). Itshows that the extract composition comprising the soybean seed extractand soybean seed vapor fraction has the effect on treating dementia inrats. The data are shown as means±SEM. The Student t-test and repeatedANOVA are used for statistical analysis. When comparing AlCl₃ group andAlCl₃+cream base group, p<0.05 is marked with *, and p<0.01 is markedwith **, meaning that there is a significant difference in statistics.

FIG. 19 shows the diagram of the reference (long-term) memory errors(RME) of dementia rats in the radial arm maze test. The RME values ofAlCl₃ group and AlCl₃+cream base group show no significant difference(p>0.05), and the RME values on Day 4 after the treatment of the extractcomposition comprising the soybean seed extract and soybean seed vaporfraction are significantly lower than those of AlCl₃ group (p=0.0046).It shows that the extract composition comprising the soybean seedextract and soybean seed vapor fraction has the effect on restoring thelong-term memory of rats. The data are shown as means±SEM. The Studentt-test and repeated ANOVA are used for statistical analysis. p<0.05 ismarked with *, and p<0.01 is marked with **, meaning that there is asignificant difference in statistics.

FIG. 20 shows the diagram of the total number of errors (TME) ofvascular dementia rats treated with cream base (M), GMC1(M1), andGMC1+0.5% GMA1 (M3) in the radial arm maze test. It shows the TME oftwo-sided carotid arterial ligature (2VO) group is significantly higherthan Sham group (day 8, p=0.0013), which refers to successful inductionof vascular dementia in rats by two-sided carotid arterial ligature. Theresults show that TME values are significantly improved compared with2VO group after treated by M1 and M3 (day 8, M1 p=0.0019; M3 p=0.0355).This suggests that M1 and M3 have efficacy for treating vasculardementia in rats. The data are shown as means±SEM. The Student t-testand repeated ANOVA are used for statistical analysis. p<0.05 is markedwith *, and p<0.01 is marked with **, meaning that there is asignificant difference in statistics.

FIG. 21 shows the diagram of the reference (long-term) memory errors(RME) of vascular dementia rats treated with cream base (M), GMC1(M1),and GMC1+0.5% GMA1 (M3) in the radial arm maze test. It shows that theRME of two-sided carotid arterial ligature (2VO) group is significantlyhigher than Sham group (day 8, p=0.0016), which refers to successfulinduction of vascular dementia in rats by two-sided carotid arterialligature. The results show that RME values are significantly improvedcompared to 2VO group after treated by M1 and M3 (day 8, M1 p=0.0029; M3p=0.0171). This suggests that M1 and M3 have efficacy for treating RMEof vascular dementia in rats. The data are shown as means±SEM. TheStudent t-test and repeated ANOVA are used for statistical analysis.p<0.05 is marked with *, and p<0.01 is marked with **, meaning thatthere is a significant difference in statistics.

FIG. 22 shows the diagram of the working memory (short-term memory)errors (WME) of vascular dementia rats treated with cream base (M),GMC1(M1), and GMC1+0.5% GMA1 (M3) in the radial arm maze test. It showsthat the WME of two-sided carotid arterial ligature (2VO) group issignificantly higher than Sham group (day 8, p=0.0111), which refers tosuccessful induction of vascular dementia in rats by two-sided carotidarterial ligature. The results show that WME values are significantlyimproved compared to 2VO group after treated by M1 and M3 (day8, M1p=0.0111; M3 p=0.0139). This suggests that M and M3 have efficacy fortreating WME vascular dementia in rats. The data are shown as means±SEM.The Student t-test and repeated ANOVA are used for statistical analysis.p<0.05 is marked with *, and p<0.01 is marked with **, meaning thatthere is a significant difference in statistics.

FIG. 23 shows the tracking path of vascular dementia (VD) rats in aradial arm maze. The tracking path of VD rats on day 8 suggests thatsham group, GMC1 (M1) and GMC1+0.5% GMA1 (M3) groups are able to reachthe locations of baits with their memory after training, while 2VO and Mgroups are not.

FIG. 24 shows the statistical diagram of brain injury grades of vasculardementia rats. The extent of brain injury in accordance with CT imagesof rat brain is classified to grade 0˜4. The results suggest that severebrain injuries of 2VO (p=0.0000) group is significantly reduced withGMC1 (M1) and GMC1+0.5% GMA1 (M3) treatments (M1 p=0.0030; M3 p=0.0238).The data are shown as means±SEM. The Student t-test and repeated ANOVAare used for statistical analysis. p<0.05 is marked with *, and p<0.01is marked with **, meaning that there is a significant difference instatistics.

CT GRADE OF BRAIN INJURY

0: No obvious abnormality on CT scans1: Small area of abnormal density region in brain tissue2: Abnormal density regions in over 25% of unilateral brain tissue, orsmall area of abnormal density regions in bilateral brain tissue3: Abnormal density regions in over 50% of unilateral brain tissue,midline shift, or abnormal density regions in over 25% of bilateralbrain tissue4: Abnormal density regions in over 50%0 of bilateral brain tissue, orapparent midline shift/distortion.

FIG. 25 shows the diagram of the tumor growth rate of the nude mice. Thetumor was induced in the nude mice and the mice were subjected togrouping and administrated with the extract composition on the tumorarea and the whole back skin with the dosage of 0.1 g/day when the tumorgrew to a determined volume. The results show that the extractcomposition can decrease the tumor growth rate compared to the tumorcontrol group.

FIG. 26 shows the diagram of the tumor growth rate of the nude mice. Thetumor was induced in the nude mice and the mice were subjected togrouping and administrated with GMC1 and GMA1 on the tumor area and thewhole back skin with the dosage of 0.1 g/day when the tumor grew to adetermined volume. The results show that the extract composition candecrease the tumor growth rate compared to the tumor control group.

FIG. 27 shows the diagram of the tumor growth rate of the nude mice. Thetumor was induced in the nude mice and the mice were subjected togrouping and administrated with CTX injection and GMC1 and GMA1 on thetumor area and the whole back skin with the dosage of 0.1 g/day when thetumor grew to a determined volume. The results show that the extractcomposition can decrease the tumor growth rate compared to the CTXcontrol group.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is to provide an extract composition comprising a soybeanseed extract, which soybean seed extract is prepared by a processcomprising steps of:

-   -   (a) providing soybean seeds and an extracting solution, which        extracting solution is water or an alcohol solution containing        alcohol at the concentration lower than about 90 wt %;    -   (b) extracting the soybean seeds with the extracting solution at        a barometric pressure lower than about 1 atm and at a        temperature lower than about 60° C. to obtain an crude extract;        and    -   (c) removing solids from the crude extract to obtain a liquid        portion.

The present invention can be more readily understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description of various embodiments of the invention,the examples, and the chemical drawings and tables with their relevantdescriptions. It is to be understood that unless otherwise specificallyindicated by the claims, the invention is not limited to specificpreparation methods, carriers or formulations, or to particular modes offormulating the extract of the invention into products or compositionsintended for topical, oral or parenteral administration, because as oneof ordinary skill in the relevant arts is well aware, such things can,of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology usedherein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only andis not intended to be limiting.

As utilized in accordance with the present disclosure, the followingterms, unless otherwise indicated, shall be understood to have thefollowing meaning:

Often, ranges are expressed herein as from “about” one particular valueand/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range isexpressed, an embodiment includes the range from the one particularvalue and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values areexpressed as approximations, by use of the word “about,” it will beunderstood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It willbe further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges aresignificant both in relation to and independently of the other endpoint.

“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described eventor circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includesinstances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where itdoes not. For example, the phrase “optionally comprising an agent” meansthat the agent may or may not exist.

It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appendedclaims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referentsunless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, unless otherwiserequired by context, singular terms shall include the plural and pluralterms shall include the singular.

The term “subject” as used herein denotes any animal, preferably amammal, and more preferably a human. The examples of subjects includehumans, non-human primates, rodents, guinea pigs, rabbits, sheep, pigs,goats, cows, horses, dogs and cats.

The term “effective amount” of an active ingredient as provided hereinmeans a sufficient amount of the ingredient to provide the desiredregulation of a desired function. As will be pointed out below, theexact amount required will vary from subject to subject, depending onthe disease state, physical conditions, age, sex, species and weight ofthe subject, the specific identity and formulation of the composition,etc. Dosage regimens may be adjusted to induce the optimum therapeuticresponse. For example, several divided doses may be administered dailyor the dose may be proportionally reduced as indicated by the exigenciesof the therapeutic situation. Thus, it is not possible to specify anexact “effective amount.” However, an appropriate effective amount canbe determined by one of ordinary skill in the art using only routineexperimentation.

The term “treating” or “treatment” as used herein denotes reversing,alleviating, inhibiting the progress of, or improving the disorder,disease or condition to which such term applies, or one or more symptomsof such disorder, disease or condition.

The term “carrier” or “excipient” as used herein refers to anysubstance, not itself a therapeutic agent, used as a carrier and/ordiluent and/or adjuvant, or vehicle for delivery of a therapeutic agentto a subject or added to a formulation to improve its handling orstorage properties or to permit or facilitate formation of a dose unitof the composition into a discrete article such as a capsule or tabletsuitable for oral administration. Suitable carriers or excipients arewell known to persons of ordinary skill in the art of manufacturingpharmaceutical formulations or food products. Carriers or excipients caninclude, by way of illustration and not limitation, buffers, diluents,disintegrants, binding agents, adhesives, wetting agents, polymers,lubricants, glidants, substances added to mask or counteract adisagreeable taste or odor, flavors, dyes, fragrances, and substancesadded to improve appearance of the composition. Acceptable carriers orexcipients include citrate buffer, phosphate buffer, acetate buffer,bicarbonate buffer, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, magnesium oxide,sodium and calcium salts of phosphoric and sulfuric acids, magnesiumcarbonate, talc, gelatin, acacia gum, sodium alginate, pectin, dextrin,mannitol, sorbitol, lactose, sucrose, starches, gelatin, cellulosicmaterials (such as cellulose esters of alkanoic acids and cellulosealkyl esters), low melting wax cocoa butter, amino acids, urea,alcohols, ascorbic acid, phospholipids, proteins (for example, serumalbumin), ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO), sodium chloride or other salts, liposomes, mannitol, sorbitol,glycerol or powder, polymers (such as polyvinyl-pyrrolidone, polyvinylalcohol, and polyethylene glycols), and other pharmaceuticallyacceptable materials. The carrier should not destroy the pharmacologicalactivity of the therapeutic agent and should be non-toxic whenadministered in doses sufficient to deliver a therapeutic amount of theagent.

The extract composition according to the invention comprises the soybeanseed extract. According to the present invention, depending on the testa color of the seeds, the soybean may be referred to yellow soybean,vegetable soybean, white soybean, peel beans, green bean, black soybean;preferably yellow soybean or black soybean. The soybean according to theinvention belongs to Fabaceae family, Glycine genus; preferably, thesoybean is Glycine max (L.) Merrill, Glycine formosana Hosokawa orGlycine soja auct. non Sieb. & Zucc.

The soybean seed according to the invention preferably refers to theseed obtained by removing a shell from a pod. Generally, a soybean fruitis the pod with hair, and the shell of the pod covers the seeds. Theshell of the pod is very hard and waterproof for protecting the seedsinside. The manner of obtaining the soybean seeds from the soybeanfruit, i.e. removing the shell of the pod, is known by artisans skilledin this field. Preferably, the soybean seed according to the inventioncomprises seed coat, cotyledon and hypocotyl.

The soybean seed extract according to the invention is prepared by aprocess comprising steps of:

-   -   (a) providing soybean seeds and an extracting solution, which        extracting solution is water or an alcohol solution containing        alcohol at the concentration lower than about 90 wt %;    -   (b) extracting the soybean seeds with the extracting solution at        a barometric pressure lower than about 1 atm and at a        temperature lower than about 60° C. to obtain an crude extract;        and    -   (c) removing solids from the crude extract to obtain a liquid        portion.

The extracting solution for extracting the soybean seeds according tothe invention is water or an alcohol solution containing alcohol at theconcentration lower than about 90 wt % o. Preferably, the alcohol is C1to C7 alcohol. The term “C1 to C7 alcohol” as used herein refers tolinear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted, mono- orpoly-functional, and saturated or unsaturated alcohol; preferablyunsubstituted, mono-functional and saturated alcohol. In one preferredembodiment of the invention, the C1 to C7 alcohol is selected from thegroup consisting of methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol,n-butanol, iso-butanol, sec-butanol, tert-butanol, 1-pentanol,2-pentanol, 3-pentanol, 2-methyl-1-butanol, 2-methyl-2-butanol,3-methyl-2-butanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, 2,2-dimethyl-1-propanol,1-hexanol, 2,4-hexadiene-1-ol, 2-methyl-cyclopentanol, cyclohexanol,1-heptanol, 2-heptanol, or cycloheptyl alcohol. More preferably, the C1to C7 alcohol is methanol or ethanol; most preferably, the C1 to C7alcohol is ethanol. The C1 to C7 alcohol can be used solely or incombinations.

The alcohol as used herein is preferably an alcohol solution with aconcentration lower than about 90% (v/v); preferably from about 5% (v/v)to about 90% (v/v); more preferably from about 30% (v/v) to about 85%(v/v); still more preferably from about 50% (v/v) to about 75% (v/v).

The process according to the invention comprises (b) extracting thesoybean seeds with the extracting solution at a barometric pressurelower than about 1 atm and at a temperature lower than about 60° C. toobtain an crude extract. The manner of extracting a part of a seed witha solution is well-known to artisans skilled in this field. For example,the crude extract can be obtained by dividing the soybean seeds intopieces in any manner such as grinding, stirring, disturbing, cutting orshredding, and soaking the pieces in the extracting solution forextraction. The manners for dividing the seeds in the field are able tobe applied in the invention. In one preferred embodiment of theinvention, the soybean seeds are grinded into powder. In one preferredembodiment of the invention, the soybean seeds are soaked in theextracting solution for extraction; more preferably, the soybean seedsare soaked in the extracting solution and subjected to ultrasonicvibration extraction.

According to the process of the invention, prior to step (b), thesoybean seeds are preferably dried.

According to the invention, the ratio (w/v) of the soybean seeds and theextracting solution is not specifically restricted. In one preferredembodiment of the invention, the ratio (w/v) of the soybean seeds andthe extracting solution is about 1:1 to about 1:30; more preferablyabout 1:5 to about 1:20; and most preferably about 1:10.

The temperature of extraction in the step (b) according to the inventionis lower than about 60° C.; preferably from about 25° C. to about 55°C.; more preferably from about 30° C. to about 50° C.; still morepreferably about 45° C.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the extraction step (b)can be repeated, and the extract is collected by merging.

The process according to the invention comprises the step (c) removingsolids from the crude extract to obtain a liquid portion. The manner ofremoving the solids to obtain the liquid fraction is well-known toartisans skilled in this field, and examples include but not limited tofiltration, centrifugation, or precipitation.

Preferably, the process according to the invention further comprises astep (d) of concentrating the liquid portion obtained in the step (c) toobtain a concentrated solid portion. The manner of concentrating iswell-known to artisans skilled in this field, such as by areduced-pressure condenser.

Preferably, the process for according to the invention further comprisesa step (e) of drying the concentrated solid portion obtained in the step(d). The manner of drying is well-known to artisans skilled in thisfield, such as air-drying or by a freeze drier.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the soybean seed extractis subjected to an ion chromatography assay with CarboPac PA1 Analytical(4×250 mm) column. The mobile phase is 87% water and 13% 500 mM NaOH;the internal standard is maltose monohydrate. The isocratic elution isapplied with the low rate of 1.0 ml/min and the cycle of 0.5 second. Inevery cycle, the assay is conducted with the relative potential of 0.1 Vat 0.00 second to 0.2 second; 0.1 V at 0.2 second to 0.4 second; −2.0 Vat 0.41 second to 0.42 second; 0.6 V at 0.43 second; −0.1 V at 0.44second to 0.5 second, and the total assay duration is 55 minutes.

The spectrograms obtained are shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. The peak time isshown in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Peak time (minutes) Internal Peak 1 Peak 2 Peak 3 Peak 4 Peak 5standard FIG. 1 5.913 6.660 10.120 18.010 20.510 28.390 FIG. 2 5.6606.420 10.244 18.600 20.784 28.597 FIG. 3 5.857 6.590 10.100 18.16720.847 28.304

Preferably, the extract composition according to the invention furthercomprises a soybean seed vapor fraction, which soybean seed vaporfraction is prepared by a process comprising steps of:

-   -   (i) providing soybean seeds in a second extracting solution,        which second extracting solution is water or an alcohol solution        containing alcohol at the concentration lower than about 15 wt        %; and    -   (ii) extracting the soybean seeds with the second extracting        solution at a barometric pressure lower than about 1 atm and at        a temperature lower than about 110° C. and collecting the vapor        fraction.

The second extracting solution for preparing the soybean seed vaporfraction according to the invention is water or an alcohol solutioncontaining alcohol at the concentration lower than about 15 wt %;preferably water. The kind of the alcohol can be the same to that of theextracting solution for preparing the soybean seed extract and is notrepeated herein.

The alcohol of the second extracting solution is the alcohol solutionwith a concentration lower than about 15% (v/v); preferably lower thanabout 10% (v/v); more preferably lower than about 5% (v/v).

The process for preparing the soybean seed vapor fraction according tothe invention comprises the step (ii) extracting the soybean seeds withthe second extracting solution at a barometric pressure lower than about1 atm and at a temperature lower than about 110° C. and collecting thevapor fraction. The manner of extracting can be the same to that ofpreparing the soybean seed extract, provided that the soybean seed vaporfraction is vaporized at a barometric pressure lower than about 1 atmand at a temperature lower than about 110° C. The vapor fraction can becollected in a liquid form by chilling the vapor.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a process of vaporizing thesoybean seeds at a given barometric pressure and temperature, andcollecting said vapor fraction by chilling the vapor can be performed ina rotary evaporator where the vapor is evaporated to the condensing tubesupplied with cold water, and then the vapor is chilled by passingthrough the condensing tube to collect the vapor fraction in a liquidform. The manipulation is simple and the cost is low.

According to the invention, the ratio (w/v) of the soybean seeds and thesecond extracting solution is not specifically restricted. In onepreferred embodiment of the invention, the ratio (w/v) of the soybeanseeds and the second extracting solution is about 1:1 to about 1:30;more preferably about 1:5 to about 1:20; and most preferably about 1:10.

The temperature of extraction in the step (ii) according to theinvention is lower than about 110° C.; preferably from about 60° C. toabout 110° C.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the extraction step (ii)can be repeated, and the soybean seed vapor fraction is collected bymerging.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the soybean seed vaporfraction is subjected to an ion chromatography assay with CarboPac PA1Analytical (4×250 mm) column. The mobile phase is 87% water and 13% 500mM NaOH; the internal standard is maltose monohydrate. The isocraticelution is applied with the low rate of 1.0 ml/min and the cycle of 0.5second. In every cycle, the assay is conducted with the relativepotential of 0.1 V at 0.00 second to 0.2 second; 0.1 V at 0.2 second to0.4 second; −2.0 V at 0.41 second to 0.42 second; 0.6 V at 0.43 second;−0.1 V at 0.44 second to 0.5 second, and the total assay duration is 55minutes.

The spectrograms obtained are shown in FIGS. 4 to 6. The peak time isshown in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Peak time FIG. 4 2.690 FIG. 5 2.587 FIG. 6 2.664

In one embodiment of the invention, the content of the soybean seedextraction based on the extract composition is from about 0.001% wt toabout 10% wt; preferably from about 0.01% wt to about 5% wt; morepreferably from about 0.001% wt to about 1.5% wt. In another aspect, thecontent of the soybean seed vapor fraction based on the extractcomposition is from about 0.04% wt to about 99.999% wt; preferably fromabout 10% wt to about 99.9% wt; more preferably from about 30% wt toabout 99% wt.

The extraction composition according to the invention is preferably apharmaceutical composition, food composition or a cosmetic composition.

The pharmaceutical composition according to the invention is preferablyadministered topically or systemically by any method known in the art,including, but not limited to, intramuscular, intradermal, intravenous,subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, intranasal, oral, mucosal or externalroutes. The appropriate route, formulation and administration schedulecan be determined by those skilled in the art. In the present invention,the pharmaceutical composition can be formulated in various ways,according to the corresponding route of administration, such as a liquidsolution, a suspension, an emulsion, a syrup, a tablet, a pill, acapsule, a sustained release formulation, a powder, a granule, anampoule, an injection, an infusion, a kit, an ointment, a lotion, aliniment, a cream or a combination thereof. If necessary, it may besterilized or mixed with any pharmaceutically acceptable carrier orexcipient, many of which are known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

The external route as used herein is also known as local administration,includes but is not limited to administration by insufflation andinhalation. Examples of various types of preparation for localadministration include ointments, lotions, creams, gels, foams,preparations for delivery by transdermal patches, powders, sprays,aerosols, capsules or cartridges for use in an inhaler or insufflator ordrops (e.g. eye or nose drops), solutions/suspensions for nebulisation,suppositories, pessaries, retention enemas and chewable or suckabletablets or pellets or liposome or microencapsulation preparations.

Ointments, creams and gels, may, for example, be formulated with anaqueous or oily base with the addition of suitable thickening and/orgelling agent and/or solvents. Such bases may thus, for example, includewater and/or an oil such as liquid paraffin or a vegetable oil such asarachis oil or castor oil, or a solvent such as polyethylene glycol.Thickening agents and gelling agents which may be used according to thenature of the base include soft paraffin, aluminium stearate,cetostearyl alcohol, polyethylene glycols, woolfat, beeswax,carboxypolymethylene and cellulose derivatives, and/or glycerylmonostearate and/or non-ionic emulsifying agents.

Lotions may be formulated with an aqueous or oily base and will ingeneral also contain one or more emulsifying agents, stabilising agents,dispersing agents, suspending agents or thickening agents.

Powders for external application may be formed with the aid of anysuitable powder base, for example, talc, lactose or starch. Drops may beformulated with an aqueous or non-aqueous base also comprising one ormore dispersing agents, solubilising agents, suspending agents orpreservatives.

Spray compositions may for example be formulated as aqueous solutions orsuspensions or as aerosols delivered from pressurised packs, such as ametered dose inhaler, with the use of a suitable liquefied propellant.Aerosol compositions suitable for inhalation can be either a suspensionor a solution. The aerosol composition may optionally contain additionalformulation excipients well known in the art such as surfactants e.g.oleic acid or lecithin and cosolvents e.g. ethanol.

Topical preparations may be administered by one or more applications perday to the affected area; over the skin areas occlusive dressings mayadvantageously be used. Continuous or prolonged delivery may be achievedby an adhesive reservoir system.

The cosmetic composition according to the invention may be an aqueousphase formulation consisting essentially of water; it may also comprisea mixture of water and of water-miscible solvent (miscibility in waterof greater than 50%° by weight at 25° C.), for instance lowermonoalcohols containing from 1 to 5 carbon atoms such as ethanol orisopropanol, glycols containing from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, such aspropylene glycol, ethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol or dipropyleneglycol, C3-C4 ketones and C2-C4 aldehydes, and glycerin. Such an aqueousformulation preferably is in a form of aqueous gel or hydrogelformulation. The hydrogel formulation comprises a thickening agent tothicken the liquid solution. Examples of the thickening agents include,but are not limited to, carbomers, cellulose base materials, gums,algin, agar, pectins, carrageenan, gelatin, mineral or modified mineralthickeners, polyethylene glycol and polyalcohols, polyacrylamide andother polymeric thickeners. The thickening agents which give thestability and optimal flow characteristics of the composition arepreferably used.

The cosmetic composition according to the present invention may be in aform of emulsion or cream formulation. It can contain emulsifyingsurfactants. These surfactants may be chosen from anionic and nonionicsurfactants. Reference may be made to the document “Encyclopedia ofChemical Technology, Kirk-Othmer”, volume 22, pp. 333-432, 3rd edition,1979, Wiley, for the definition of the properties and functions(emulsifying) of surfactants, in particular pp. 347-377 of saidreference, for the anionic and nonionic surfactants.

The surfactants preferably used in the cosmetic composition according tothe invention are chosen from: nonionic surfactants: fatty acids, fattyalcohols, polyethoxylated or polyglycerolated fatty alcohols such aspolyethoxylated stearyl or cetylstearyl alcohol, fatty acid esters ofsucrose, alkylglucose esters, in particular polyoxyethylenated fattyesters of C1-C6 alkyl glucose, and mixtures thereof; anionicsurfactants: C16-C30 fatty acids neutralized with amines, aqueousammonia or alkaline salts, and mixtures thereof. Surfactants which makeit possible to obtain an oil-in-water or wax-in-water emulsion arepreferably used.

The cosmetic composition according to the invention may further comprisean effective amount of a physiologically acceptable antioxidant selectedfrom the group consisting of butylated p-cresol, butylated hydroquinonemonomethyl ether, and a tocopherol.

The cosmetic composition according to the invention may further comprisenatural or modified amino acid, natural or modified sterol compound,natural or modified collagen, silk protein or soy protein.

The cosmetic composition according to the invention is preferablyformulated for topical application to keratin materials such as theskin, the hair, the eyelashes or the nails. They may be in anypresentation form normally used for this type of application, especiallyin the form of an aqueous or oily solution, an oil-in-water orwater-in-oil emulsion, a silicone emulsion, a microemulsion ornanoemulsion, an aqueous or oily gel or a liquid, pasty or solidanhydrous product.

The cosmetic composition according to the invention may be more or lessfluid and may have the appearance of a white or colored cream, anointment, a milk, a lotion, a serum, a paste, a mousse or a gel. It mayoptionally be topically applied onto the skin in the form of an aerosol,a patch or a powder. It may also be in solid form, for example, in theform of a stick. It may be used as care products and/or as makeupproducts for the skin. Alternatively, it may be formulated as shampoosor conditioners.

In known fashion, the cosmetic composition according to the inventionmay also contain additives and adjuvants that are common in cosmetics,such as hydrophilic or lipophilic gelling agents, preservatives,antioxidants, solvents, fragrances, fillers, pigments, odor absorbersand dyestuffs.

The extract composition can be added to a conventional food composition(i.e. the edible food or drink or precursors thereof) in themanufacturing process of the food composition. Almost all foodcompositions can be supplemented with the extract composition of theinvention. The food compositions that can be supplemented with theextract composition of the invention include, but are not limited to,candies, baked goods, ice creams, dairy products, sweet and flavorsnacks, snack bars, meal replacement products, fast foods, soups,pastas, noodles, canned foods, frozen foods, dried foods, refrigeratedfoods, oils and fats, baby foods, or soft foods painted on breads, ormixtures thereof.

The present invention is also to provide use of the extract compositionas mentioned above in the manufacture of a medicament of promoting woundhealing.

The invention also provides a method for promoting wound healing in asubject in need of such promotion comprising administering to saidsubject an effective amount of the extract composition as mentionedabove and optionally a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.

Preferably, the extract composition according to the invention ispromoting wound healing by promoting skin cell migration. In onepreferred embodiment of the invention, the extract composition is ableto promoting keratinocyte migration, and the skin cell is preferably akeratinocyte. In another aspect, in an animal model according to theincention, the extract composition is able to promoting wound healing ina diabetic patient, and the wound is preferably a diabetic wound.

In one embodiment of the invention, the composition comprising thesoybean seed extract and soybean seed vapor fraction has significanteffect (p<0.5) in would closure, compared to cream base, and the soybeanseed extract slightly exhibits better outcome in wound closure than thesoybean seed vapor fraction.

In one another embodiment of the invention, different dose levels of thesoybean seed extract are used in combined with the soybean seed vaporfraction for investigating the effect on diabetic wound healing. Theresults show that for wound healing, the combination effects of thesoybean seed extract and the soybean seed vapor fraction are better thanthe soybean seed vapor fraction alone. The most effective combinationtreatment is found in the highest dosage of the soybean seed extract.

In one embodiment of the invention, the soybean seed extract and soybeanseed vapor fraction are used alone or in combination for assaying theeffects on promoting skin keratinocyte migration. The results show thatfor promoting skin keratinocyte migration, the combination effects ofthe soybean seed extract and the soybean seed vapor fraction are betterthan the soybean seed extract or the soybean seed vapor fraction alone.

The present invention is also to provide use of the extract compositionas mentioned above in the manufacture of a medicament of promotingneuron cell proliferation and/or treating brain diseases and/orneurodegenerative diseases.

The invention also provides a method for promoting neuron cellproliferation and/or treating brain diseases and/or neurodegenerativediseases in a subject in need of such promotion and/or treatmentcomprising administering to said subject an effective amount of theextract composition as mentioned above and optionally a pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier or excipient.

Preferably, the neuron cell is a central nervous system cell; morepreferably is a brain neuron cell; still more preferably is aneuroblastoma cell.

The brain diseases and/or neurodegenerative diseases according to theinvention are preferably selected from the group consisting of vasculardementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, cerebral vasculardisease, inflammatory brain injury, brain damage surroundinginflammatory response, brain lesions, cerebral hematoma, swellingventricle and ventricular dilatation.

In one embodiment of the invention, the soybean seed extract, soybeanseed vapor fraction and extraction composition comprising the soybeanseed extract and soybean seed vapor fraction are used to treat humanneuroblastoma cell. The results show that the cell viability rate issignificantly increased after treated with the soybean seed extract,soybean seed vapor fraction and extraction composition comprising thesoybean seed extract, soybean seed vapor fraction. Therefore, thesoybean seed extract and soybean seed vapor fraction and extractioncomposition comprising the soybean seed extract and soybean seed vaporfraction have effects on promoting neuron cell proliferation.

In one another embodiment of the invention, in a radial arm maze test ofa dementia rat animal model, after the treatment of the extractcomposition comprising the soybean seed extract and soybean seed vaporfraction, total memory errors and reference memory errors aresignificantly lower than those of an untreated group. It shows that theextract composition comprising the soybean seed extract and soybean seedvapor fraction has the effect on treating dementia rats.

In one another embodiment of the invention, in a radial arm maze test ofa dementia rat animal model, after the treatment of the extractcomposition comprising the soybean seed extract and soybean seed vaporfraction, total memory errors and reference memory errors aresignificantly lower than those of an untreated group. It shows that theextract composition comprising the soybean seed extract and soybean seedvapor fraction has the effect on treating dementia rats.

In a vascular dementia model, the results show that the memoryimpairment caused by vascular dementia is significantly improved afterthe extract composition treatments according to the invention. Thesoybean seed vapor fraction and the extract composition comprising thesoybean seed extract and soybean seed vapor fraction both improve theworking memory errors, reference memory errors and total memory errors.Compared to the soybean seed vapor fraction alone, the extractcomposition comprising the soybean seed extract and soybean seed vaporfraction has better effect on treating memory impairment caused byvascular dementia.

The present invention is also to provide use of the extract compositionas mentioned above in the manufacture of a medicament of treating breastcancer.

The invention also provides a method for treating breast cancer in asubject in need of such treatment comprising administering to saidsubject an effective amount of the extract composition as mentionedabove and optionally a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.

Preferably, the breast cancer is the breast cancer with p53 mutant type.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, a p53 mutant type of humanbreast cancer cell line is used to establish an animal model to simulatethe situation in the primary site for observing the tumor growth inmice. In the case of simulating the administration in human, differentconcentrations of the extract composition according to the presentinvention is administrated. It shows that the extract compositionaccording to the invention has effect on inhibiting tumor growth rate inthe tumor-bearing mice.

The present invention is also to provide use of the extract compositionas mentioned above in the manufacture of a medicament of reducing sideeffects of interfering with DNA and/or RNA replication drugs, and/orenhancing pharmaceutical effects of interfering with DNA and/or RNAreplication drugs.

The invention also provides a method for reducing side effects ofinterfering with DNA and/or RNA replication drugs and/or enhancingpharmaceutical effects of interfering with DNA and/or RNA replicationdrugs in a subject in need of such reduction and/or enhancementcomprising administering to said subject an effective amount of theextract composition as mentioned above and optionally a pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier or excipient.

The term “interfering with DNA and/or RNA replication drugs” as usedherein refers to drugs which kill a tumor cell by preventing the processof DNA and/or RNA replication essential in mitosis. Preferably, theinterfering with DNA and/or RNA replication drugs are cyclophosphamide,temozolomide, hexamethylmelamine, platinum complexes, bleomycin,vinblastine, vincristine, paclitaxel, docetaxel, folic acid antagonists,purine antagonists, or pyrimidine antagonists.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, a human breast cancer cellline is used to establish an animal model to simulate the situation inthe primary site. Compared to the tumor-bearing mice administrated withcyclophosphamide, the extract composition according to the invention hasenhancing effect of the chemotherapy drug on inhibiting tumor growthrate in the tumor-bearing mice. The extract composition according to theinvention inhibits tumor growth, has enhancing effect of thechemotherapy drug on eliminating tumor size, and relieves pain byreducing tumor compression, thus the patient can have better lifequality.

The following examples are provided to aid those skilled in the art inpracticing the present invention.

Examples Soybean Seed Extract (GMA1)

Seeds of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) were grinded into power, and70% by weight of ethanol or distilled water was applied as an extractingsolution; the ratio (w/v) of the soybean seeds and the extractingsolution was about 1:10. The soybean seeds were extracted at abarometric pressure about 1 atm and at a temperature of about 45° C. toobtain an crude extract. The solids were removed from the crude extractto obtain a liquid portion. The liquid portion was further concentratedby a reduced-pressure condenser to obtain a concentrated solid portion.The concentrated solid portion was further dried at 70° C.

Soybean Seed Vapor Fraction (GMC1)

Seeds of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) were grinded into power, and2% by weight of ethanol or distilled water was applied as a secondextracting solution; the ratio (w/v) of the soybean seeds and the secondextracting solution was about 1:10. The vapor fraction was obtained byvaporizing the soybean seeds in a rotary evaporator (EYELA N-1000S,1000S-W) at a pressure of lower than 1 atm and a temperature of 90° C.,and passing through a condensing tube supplied with cold water.

Analysis of the Soybean Seed Extract (GMA1) and Soybean Seed VaporFraction (GMC1)

The obtained soybean seed extract (GMA1) and soybean seed vapor fraction(GMC1) were subjected to an ion chromatography assay with CarboPac PA1Analytical (4×250 mm) column. The mobile phase was 87% water and 13% 500mM NaOH; the internal standard is maltose monohydrate. The isocraticelution was applied with the low rate of 1.0 ml/min and the cycle of 0.5second. In every cycle, the assay was conducted with the relativepotential of 0.1 V at 0.00 second to 0.2 second; 0.1 V at 0.2 second to0.4 second; −2.0 V at 0.41 second to 0.42 second; 0.6 V at 0.43 second;−0.1 V at 0.44 second to 0.5 second, and the total assay duration was 55minutes.

The spectrograms of the soybean seed extract (GMA1) are shown in FIGS. 1to 3. The peak time is shown in Table 1.

The spectrograms of the soybean seed vapor fraction (GMC1) are shown inFIGS. 4 to 6. The peak time is shown in Table 2.

The Soybean Seed Extract (GAA 1) Contains Very Small Amount ofIsoflavones and the Soybean Seed Vapor Fraction (GMC1) Contains NoIsoflavones

A high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was applied to assay ifthe soybean seed extract (GMA1) and soybean seed vapor fraction (GMC1)contained isoflavones.

The condition of HPLC was listed as follows:

Apparatus: Hitachi HPLC CM5000 Series; pump: CM5110; detector: CM5430(DAD); automatic feeding system: CM5210; column oven: CM5310; software:OpenLab. Column: RP C₁₈, 4.6×250 mm 5 μm; detection wavelength: UV 254nm; flow rate: 0.8 min/ml; column oven temperature: 30° C.; gradient: asshown in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Solvent (%) Time (minute) Elution 1 Elution 2 0 95 5 10 85 15 2577 23 35 72 28 40 20 80 45 20 80 46 95 5 55 95 5 Elution 1: 1% formicacid + 0.01% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in water Elution 2: 1% formicacid + 0.01% trifluoroacetic acid in acetonitrile

The HPLC spectrogram of the isoflavones standard is shown in FIG. 7, andpeaks occurred at retention time of 18.853 minutes and 24.693 minutes.

The HPLC spectrogram of the soybean seed vapor fraction (GMC1) is shownin FIG. 8, and no peaks occurred.

The HPLC spectrogram of an ointment containing 0.3 part by weight of thesoybean seed extract (GMA1) and 1 part by weight of the soybean seedvapor fraction (GMC1) is shown in FIG. 9, and peaks occurred atretention time of 17.307 minutes, 19.313 minutes, 20.267 minutes, 20.853minutes, 24.307 minutes and 25.247 minutes.

By comparing FIGS. 7 to 9, it shows that no peaks occur in the HPLCspectrogram of the soybean seed vapor fraction (GMC1) in FIG. 8, andthus the soybean seed vapor fraction (GMC1) contains no isoflavones; thepeaks corresponding to the isoflavones fingerprint absorption peaksoccur at a very small amount in the HPLC spectrogram of the extractcomposition containing 0.3 part by weight of the soybean seed extract(GMA1) and 1 part by weight of the soybean seed vapor fraction (GMC1) inFIG. 9. After conversion, the content of daidzin is 4.8 μg/ml and thecontent of genistin is 8.23 μg/ml, which contents are far away from thepharmaceutically effective amount of isoflavones. Therefore, the soybeanseed extract (GMA1) only contains a very small amount of isoflavones,and the pharmaceutical effect thereof is not exhibited by the very smallamount of isoflavones.

Extract Composition for Promoting Wound Healing Material and Method:

Approximately 8 weeks old, with body weight rages of 250 g to 300 g SDmale rats were obtained from National Laboratory Animal Center, Taiwan.After 7 days of quarantine, the rats were moved until the body weightover 350 g. The rats were identified by ear notch of the animals. Eachcage tag was labeled with the cage number, study number, sex and groupname. The rats were housed 2 per cage in polycarbonate cage in theAAALAC accredited animal facility.

The environment conditions were: temperature: 21±2° C.; humidity:50±20%; light cycle: in light for 12 hours and in dark for 12 hours.Laboratory Rodent Diet 5001 (PMI^(R) Nutrition International, Inc., MO,USA) were supplied ad libitum throughout the study period. Tap water wassupplied ad libitum via bottles attached to the cages.

Experimental Methods:

Samples (test articles) were prepared according to Table 4.

TABLE 4 group animal/number/sex Test article and dose Experimental 1 1Diabetic rats/5/male Cream base 2 Diabetic rats/5/male CGS-21680 10μg/wound 3 Diabetic rats/5/male GMC1 4 Diabetic rats/5/male 0.3% GMA1Experimental 2 1 Diabetic rats/5/male Cream base 2 Diabetic rats/5/maleCGS-21680 6.7 μg/wound 3 Diabetic rats/5/male GMC1 4 Diabeticrats/5/male GMC1 + 0.009% GMA1 5 Diabetic rats/5/male GMC1 + 0.045% GMA16 Diabetic rats/5/male GMC1 + 0.09% GMA1

CGS-21680: Specific adenosine A_(2A) subtype receptor agonist, preparedby adding 1.67 mg of CGS-21680 in 248.4 g of cream base.

Diabetic rats: The rats with body weight over 300 g were administratedwith one dose of Streptozotocin (STZ, 65 mg/kg) by intravenousinjection. The STZ-induced rats with high blood sugar (over 300 mg/dL)for 2 months were selected to conduct the wound closure test.

Trauma surgeries for diabetic rats: The diabetic rats with weight lowerthan 300 g were eliminated and the rest were randomized into 6 groups.The rats were then anesthetized with pentobarbital and hairs on surgicalarea (dorsal area) were removed. Three skins on the dorsal medium areas(4, 6 and 8 cm from the midpoint of two scapulas) in each rat wereexcised (full thickness) using round cutting blades.

Medication and wound closure measurement: The animals were weighed andthe area of wounds was measured every other day for evaluation of woundclosure. Medications were applied to each wound twice a day and thewounds were covered with cheesecloth. The hoods were worn on the necksof the rats to prevent the wounds from receiving animal scratches. Forwound closure measurement, the wound pictures were taken at day 4, 6, 8,10, 12 and 14. When taking pictures, a standard ruler was placed besidethe wounds. Before analyzing the wounds with Image pro (Mediacybernetics), length was standardized with the standard ruler in thepicture to avoid the errors caused by different picturing distances.

Data analysis and statistics: Three wound areas on the rats' backs wereanalyzed by Image pro. The original wound areas were the areas of dayzero. The original wound areas minus the wound areas at different timepoints and then divided by the original wound areas to get the woundclosure percentages. The mean of three wound closure percentages of eachrat represents the wound closure of each rat. The data was shown asmean±standard error (SEM). The p-values of the testing results werecalculated by t-test in statistics software (SYSTAT, Systat softwareInc). P<0.05 means there is a significant difference, and it is markedwith *. P<0.01 means there is a very significant difference, and it ismarked with **. P<0.001 means there is an extremely significantdifference, and it is marked with ***.

Result:

After medication, wound areas were measured at different time points andwound closure percentages were analyzed with statistic software andshown in Table 5 and FIG. 10. On day 4, the wound closure percentagesfor groups cream base, CGS-21680, GMC1, and 0.3% GMA1 are−83.33±6.60(%), 21.87±5.61(%), −11.44±4.34(%) and −7.09±3.65(%),respectively. All treatment groups are significantly different from thecream base group during the whole experimental period. On day 8 to day10, the wound closure percentages are mostly enhanced with GMC1 and 3%GMA1 treated groups, changed from −4.10±3.04(%) to 40.15±6.47 (% o) and21.21±5.52(%) to 62.19±3.85(%), respectively. On day 14, the woundclosure percentages of GMC1 and 3% GMA1 are significantly enhanced,86.20±1.88(%) and 91.21±2.23(%), respectively, and compared to creambase, 58.92±13.14(%).

TABLE 5 Comparison of wound closure percentages of diabetic rats treatedwith GMC1 and 0.3% GMA1 Cream base CGS-21680 GMC1 0.3% GMA1 Day Mean ±SEM Mean ± SEM Mean ± SEM Mean ± SEM 4 −83.33 ± 6.60  21.87 ± 5.61 *** −11.44 ± 4.34 ***  −7.09 ± 3.65 *** 6 −65.84 ± 11.19 25.45 ± 4.46 ***  6.74 ± 4.86 ***  4.15 ± 3.19 *** 8 −63.32 ± 23.22 45.88 ± 4.28 *** 4.10 ± 3.04 * 21.21 ± 5.52 ** 10 −10.08 ± 16.87 93.80 ± 2.79 *** 40.15± 6.47 * 62.19 + 3.85 ** 12  30.85 ± 20.08 91.15 ± 2.72 **  74.36 ±2.04 * 82.71 ± 2.82 *  14  58.92 ± 13.14 98.74 ± 0.60 **  86.20 ± 1.88 *91.21 ± 2.23   Remark: Each value represents the mean ± SEM. Thecomparison values between two groups are significantly different at ** p< 0.01 and *** p < 0.001 by Student's t test.

The results showed that both 0.3%0 GMA1 and GMC1 are effective in wouldclosure, compared to cream base alone, and 0.3% GMA1 treated groupslightly exhibits better outcome in wound closure than GMC1.

The optimal combination of GMA1 and GMC1 in promoting diabetic woundclosure was investigated. Different dose levels of GMA1, 0.009%, 0.045%and 0.09% were used in combined with GMC1. For comparison, cream baseand CGS-21680 groups were also incorporated.

After medication, wound areas were measured at different time points andwound closure percentages were analyzed with statistic software andshown in Table 6 and FIG. 11. As shown in Table 6 and FIG. 11, bycomparing to cream base groups, an increase in statistical significanceis observed with increasing GMA1 dose levels in combination drug groups,0.009%, 0.045% and 0.09% of GMA1. The results show that for woundhealing, the combination effects of the dose levels, 0.009/o, 0.045% and0.09%, of GMA1 with GMC1 are better than GMC1 alone. The most effectivecombination treatment is found in the highest dosage of GMA1 (0.09/o).

TABLE 6 Comparison of wound closure percentages of diabetic rats treatedwith 0.009%~0.09% of GMA1 in combined with GMC1 Cream base CGS-21680GMC1 GMC1 + 0.009% GMA1 GMC1 + 0.045% GMA1 GMC1 + 0.09% GMA1 Days Mean ±SEM Mean ± SEM Mean ± SEM Mean ± SEM Mean ± SEM Mean ± SEM 4 −4.45 ±7.92 40.02 ± 5.03**  −4.47 ± 8.88 3.66 ± 7.39  9.15 ± 11.71 18.90 ±4.66*  6  −4.3 ± 4.42 63.09 ± 2.58***  13.59 ± 5.05* 21.97 ± 4.69* 28.33 ± 4.50*** 32.99 ± 5.40*** 8 40.85 ± 6.00 77.21 ± 2.44*** 28.61 ±7.35 46.52 ± 4.08  30.25 ± 10.69 50.11 ± 5.00   10 46.51 ± 4.55 80.93 ±2.08*** 51.35 ± 4.86 73.57 ± 4.18* 71.09 ± 5.62* 86.68 ± 0.93*** 1276.05 ± 2.30 96.91 ± 1.08*** 76.84 ± 5.98  85.78 ± 2.38**  84.23 ±2.55** 90.49 ± 1.27*** 14 91.39 ± 1.23 99.17 ± 0.54***  82.58 ± 3.01*93.61 ± 2.39  88.57 ± 2.44  95.02 ± 0.65*  Remark: Each value representsthe means ± SEM. The comparison values between two groups aresignificantly different at **p < 0.01 and ***p < 0.001 by student's ttest.

Extract Composition for Promoting Skin Cell Migration

HaCaT cells (human skin keratinocytes) were used for assaying the effectof the extract composition on promoting skin cell migration.

Samples of the cell migration assay were:

A1-0.3: containing 0.3 μg/mL of GMA1A1-0.3-CSTC-2500X: containing 2500-fold diluted GMC1 and 0.3 μg/mL ofGMA1Cell line: HaCaTMedium: DMEM containing 10% fetal bovine serumPositive control: CGS-21680Cell culture: HaCaT cells were cultured in DMEM containing 10% fetalbovine serum at 37° C. and 5% CO₂, and subcultured twice weekly.

Wound healing assay: Oris Cell Migration Assay kit was applied. Thecells were planted into a 96-well plate (4×10⁴ cells/well) with astopper and cultured in a carbon dioxide incubator. After culturedovernight, the stopper was pulled out to produce wounds and new mediumor medium containing test articles or CGS-21680 (positive control) wereadded. After treatment for 0, 16 and 24 hours, the cells were observedunder an optical microscope at 100 times magnification observation andphotographs were taken for monitoring wound healing.

Analysis: Software of image j was applied to quantify the wound healingarea. Area at 0 hour was taken as the original size of the wound. Aftera period of time, the wound area was gradually reduced, and the extentof wound healing was quantified by calculating the wound area relativeto the original area at 0 hour (healing rate=difference between the areaat T16 or T24 time point and that at T0/T0 area), to assess the effectof the drugs on HaCaT cell migration activity.

Statistics: Each group was repeated at least four times. The data wasshown as mean±standard error (SEM). The significance of the testingresults was calculated by t-test.

Result:

HaCaT cell migration assay is used for comparing the effects of GMC1 andGMA1 on promoting wound healing. The combination effects of 2500-folddiluted GMC1 and 0.3 μg/mL of GMA1 (A1-0.3-CSTC-2500X) are better thanA1-0.3 alone on promoting HaCaT cell migration (FIG. 12).

Extract Composition for Promoting Neuron Cell Proliferation Material andMethod:

Cell line: Human neuroblastoma cell IMR-32 (purchased from Food IndustryResearch and Development Institute, Taiwan)

Reagents: HyClone™ DMEM/High Glucose Media (Thermo Scientific), FetalBovine Serum (FBS, Gibco®), HyClone® Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS,Thermo Scientific), Antibiotic Antimycotic Solution (Pen/Strep/Fungizone100×; Thermo Scientific), Trypan blue,3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT), andDimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO, Sigma).

Equipment: Laminar Flow (VERTICAL HF-4BH).

Cell Culture: IMR-32 cells were cultured in DMEM/High Glucose Media(HyClone™) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum in 37° C.,humidified air with 5% CO₂.

IMR-32 cells were seeded to 96-well plate at the density of 5×10⁴ with100 μL culture medium supplemented with 10% FBS for 24 hours. Upondosing, the culture medium was changed to 100 μL medium supplementedwith 5% FBS then, for each group, formulated to 25 mg/mL GMC1, 25 mg/mLGMA1, GMC1+0.3% GMA1 (GM) or PBS (control group) and 100 μL mediumsupplemented with 10% FBS (positive control group). Each group wasrepeated at least seven times in a 96-well plate and incubated for 72hours for the MTT assay.

MTT assay: Removed culture dishes from incubator and transferred intolaminar flow hood. Replaced the medium with 100 μL serum free mediumwith 0.5 mg/ml MTT reagent for each well and incubated for 30-60minutes. Add equal volume of DMSO to each well and shake for 5 minutes.Measured the absorbance at 570 nm in an ELISA reader.

Data analysis and statistics: The results were analyzed with GraphPadPrism 6 and T-test was used for statistical analysis. The data shown wasthe percentage rate of cell viability±SEM.

Results:

The cell viability rate is shown in Tables 7 to 9 and FIGS. 13 to 15.The cell viability rate is significantly increased after treated with 25mg/mL GMA1 (Table 7 and FIG. 13), 25 mg/mL GMC1 (Table 8 and FIG. 14) orGMC1+0.3% GMA1 (GM, Table 9 and FIG. 15) compared to the PBS controlgroup.

TABLE 7 Control 25 mg/mL Positive Control GMA1 Group Mean ± SEM Mean ±SEM Mean ± SEM 1  99.2 ± 17.2 106.7 ± 8.3   137.9 ± 9.8  2 110.1 ± 6.9 119.7 ± 6.7   128.7 ± 13.8  3 86.3 ± 5.6 123.2 ± 6.3 ** 94.5 ± 2.8  498.3 ± 1.8 130.2 ± 7.8 ** 119.0 ± 7.7 * 5 88.6 ± 2.6 114.2 ± 5.8 ** 90.7± 1.6  6 94.8 ± 1.9 111.4 ± 6.1 *  105.7 ± 3.1 * 7 92.1 ± 5.7 105.7 ±10.2   128.2 ± 2.9 *** Average 95.6 ± 3.0  115.9 ± 3.4 *** 115.0 ± 6.9 *

TABLE 8 GMC1 Control 25 mg/mL Positive Control Group Mean ± SEM Mean ±SEM Mean ± SEM 1  99.2 ± 17.2  94.1 ± 3.3 137.9 ± 9.8  2 110.1 ± 6.9  144.1 ± 8.2 * 128.7 ± 13.8  3 86.3 ± 5.6   120.0 ± 11.0 * 94.5 ± 2.8  498.3 ± 1.8    149.2 ± 6.4 *** 119.0 ± 7.7 * 5 88.6 ± 2.6 106.4 ± 7.290.7 ± 1.6  6 94.8 ± 1.9 101.5 ± 3.1 105.7 ± 3.1 * 7 92.1 ± 5.7 107.8 ±6.3  128.2 ± 2 9 *** Average 95.6 ± 3.0  117.6 ± 8.1 * 115.0 ± 6.9 *

TABLE 9 Control 25 mg/mL Positive Control GM Group Mean ± SEM Mean ± SEMMean ± SEM 1  99.2 ± 17.2 117.2 ± 11.6 137.9 ± 9.8  2 110.1 ± 6.9  115.1± 12.5 128.7 ± 13.8  3 86.3 ± 5.6 103.0 ± 6.0  94.5 ± 2.8  4 98.3 ± 1.8118.2 ± 10.1 119.0 ± 7.7 * 5 88.6 ± 2.6  106.1 ± 5.5 * 90.7 ± 1.6  694.8 ± 1.9 99.9 ± 2.0 105.7 ± 3.1 * 7 92.1 ± 5.7  105.7 ± 1.6 *  128.2 ±2.9 *** Average 95.6 ± 3.0  109.3 ± 2.8 ** 115.0 ± 6.9 *Remark of Tables 7 to 9: Each value represents the means±SEM. Thecomparison between different dosages of two groups was statisticallyanalyzed using T-test p<0.05 means there is a significant difference,and it is marked with *. p<0.01 means there is a highly significantdifference, and it is marked with *. p<0.001 means there is a veryhighly significant difference, and it is marked with ***.Extract Composition for Treating Brain Diseases and/or NeurodegenerativeDiseases

(1) Induced Dementia: Material and Method:

Approximately 6 weeks old, with body weight rages of 250 g to 300 g malerats were obtained from BioLASCO, Taiwan. After 7 days of quarantine,rats were moved until the body weight over 300 g. The rats wereidentified by tail tattoos. Each cage tag was labeled with the cagenumber, study number, sex and group name. The rats were housed 2 percage in polycarbonate cage in the animal facility.

The environment conditions were: temperature: 25±1° C.; humidity: 60±5%;light cycle: in light for 12 hours and in dark for 12 hours. Altromin1324 FORTI (Germany) was supplied ad libitum throughout the studyperiod. Tap water was supplied ad libitum via bottles attached to thecages.

The groups were shown in Table 10.

TABLE 10 Groups Dementia induction Test article Normal None None AlCl₃AlCl₃ AlCl₃ control AlCl₃ + cream base AlCl₃ Cream base AlCl₃ + N2 AlCl₃0.5% GMA1 + GMC1

Dementia Induction:

Eight weeks old rats were fed with daily oral administration of 15 mg/mLAlCl₃ solution at a dose of 100 mg/kg for 11 weeks to induce the mimicsymptoms of dementia. The rats were divided into groups as shown inTable 10 and the test articles were topically applied to head and neckarea with messaging for 30 seconds, and to nasal mucosa on week 5 toweek 11. The training started on week 11 and the memory ability was thenevaluated by a radial arm maze on week 11. The rats were continuouslyfed with AlCl₃ during the treatment.

Radial arm maze: Radial arm maze is one of the most common methods tomeasure spatial learning and memory in rats. The radial arm maze wasdesigned by Olton in 70 s. It is based on forcing hungry rats to checkfood at the end of each arm, training them to remember locations of foodin the maze in a period of time. This can measure the working memory(referring to short-term memory) and reference memory (referring tolong-term memory) of rats at the same time. The radial arm maze is shownin FIG. 16. Size: (A) 122 cm; (B) 47 cm; (C) 30 cm; (D) 10 cm; (E) 20cm.

The rats were habituated to the environment for 1 week. Weighed each ratand let rats fast for 24 hours. Prior to the experiment, kept the rats'body weight to be 80˜85% of the original body weight; 60% of the normaldiet was given after daily training (twice a day). On day 1 and day 2,the baits were scattered on the arms and central platform. Four ratswere placed on the central platform at the same time and allowed toexplore the maze for 10 minutes. On day 3 and 4, baits were placed onthe end of each arm. Placed each rat separately on central platform andallow the rat to explore the maze until food finished. If the rat didn'tfinish all food within 10 minutes, training stopped. On day 5˜14, baitswere placed on the end of four fixed arms. Placed each rat on centralplatform and allowed to explore the maze until baits on four arms werefinished. If the rat didn't finish all food within 10 minutes, trainingstopped. The arm entries were recorded and analyzed automatically. Eachrat was trained twice each day, and there was one hour apart between twotrainings.

The following three indicators were analyzed:

a. Working memory (short-term memory) errors (WME): number of reentriesinto baited arms.b. Reference memory (long-term memory) errors (RME): number of reentriesinto unbaited arms.c. Total memory errors (TME): WME+RME

These three indicators stand for the abilities of learning and memory ofrats, which would significantly increase along with the level of braininjuries.

Data analysis and statistics: The Student t-test and repeated ANOVA wereused for statistical analysis. Data shown was mean results±SEM of eachgroup. Data of AlCl₃ group was compared with normal group to calculatethe statistical significance. Data of AlCl₃ group was also compared withAlCl₃+N2 group to calculate the statistical significance. If p<0.05, itis marked with *. If p<0.01, it is marked with **.

Results:

It has been reported that heavy metal-induced dementia is similar toAlzheimer's disease. Both of them induce the formation of amyloidprecursor proteins, and the results in the formation of senile plaquesand neurofibrillary tangles. Therefore, we employed the heavymetal-induced dementia rat as the animal model to understand the effectof the extract composition containing the soybean seed extract andsoybean seed vapor fraction on Alzheimer's-like diseases. The resultsare shown in FIGS. 17 to 19. Referring to FIG. 17, the tracking path ofrats on Day 4 suggests that the rats of the AlCl₃+N2 group are able toreach the locations of baits with their memory after training, and therats of the AlCl₃ group and AlCl₃+cream base group are not. Referring toFIG. 18, the TME values of AlCl₃ group and AlCl₃+cream base group showno significant difference (p>0.05), and the TME values on Day 4 afterthe treatment of the extract composition comprising the soybean seedextract and soybean seed vapor fraction are significantly lower thanthose of AlCl₃ group (AlCl₃+N2 p=0.0128). It shows that the extractcomposition comprising the soybean seed extract and soybean seed vaporfraction has the effect on treating dementia rats. Referring to FIG. 19,the RME values of AlCl₃ group and AlCl₃+cream base group show nosignificant difference (p>0.05), and the RME values on Day 4 after thetreatment of the extract composition comprising the soybean seed extractand soybean seed vapor fraction are significantly lower than those ofAlCl₃ group (p=0.0046). It shows that the extract composition comprisingthe soybean seed extract and soybean seed vapor fraction has the effecton restoring the long-term memory of rats. The results show that theerrors of AlCl₃ group are significantly higher than the control group inthe radial arm maze test, which refers to successful induction ofdementia by AlCl₃ in rat. The memory impairment of reference memory isalso significantly improved after treated by the extract compositioncomprising the soybean seed extract and soybean seed vapor fraction.This indicates that the extract composition comprising the soybean seedextract and soybean seed vapor fraction has the efficacy in treatingdementia.

(II) Vascular Dementia: Material and Method:

The groups were shown in Table 11.

TABLE 11 Groups Dementia induction Test article Sham none sham 2VOtwo-sided carotid arterial ligature two-sided carotid arterial ligaturecontrol group M two-sided carotid arterial ligature Cream base M1two-sided carotid arterial ligature GMC1 M3 two-sided carotid arterialligature GMC1 + 0.5% GMA1

Rats and animal facility are as described in (1) induced dementia.

Rats were anesthetized with 1:1.5 ketamine-Rompun mixtures (0.1 mL/100g, i.p.) and were fixed on the surgery plate. Both common carotidarteries were exposed via a midline cervical incision in the dorsal neckregion and were double-ligated with silk sutures. The wounds weresutured and the rats were placed under warm light until they recovered.

The cream base (M), GMC1(M1), and GMC1+0.5% GMA1 (M3) were topicallyapplied (2 g/rat) to head and neck area with massaging for 30 seconds,and to nasal mucosa. Treatment continued for four weeks, and memory ofrats was measured by radial arm maze in the last two weeks. The radialarm maze test is as described in (I) induced dementia.

Data analysis and statistics: The unpaired Student t-test and two-wayANOVA were used for statistical analysis. Data shown was meanresults±SEM of each group. Data of Sham group was compared with 2VOgroup to calculate the statistical significance. Drug treated groups wascompared with 2VO group to calculate the statistical significance.p<0.05 means there is a significant difference, and it is marked with *.p<0.01 means there is a very significant difference, and it is markedwith **.

Results:

The number of errors of 2VO group is significantly higher than Shamgroup (FIGS. 20 to 23), which refers to successful induction of vasculardementia in rats by two-sided carotid arterial ligature, and the memoryimpairment caused by vascular dementia is significantly improved aftertwo weeks of M1 and M3 treatments. According to the results of ComputedTomography scan of the VD rat brains, bilateral occlusion of both commoncarotids arteries (2VO) caused swelling, softening, histolysis of braintissues, or even blood clot formation, and thus induced the dementia.The brain injuries are significantly decreased after M1 and M3treatments.

Extract Composition for Treating Breast Cancer and Reducing Side Effectsof Interfering with DNA and/or RNA Replication Drugs, and/or EnhancingPharmaceutical Effects of Interfering with DNA and/or RNA ReplicationDrugs

Material:

Cell line and reagent: MDA-MB-231 (purchased from Food Industry Researchand Development Institute, Taiwan); Penicillin-Streptomycin-NeomycinMixture (100×), fetal bovine serum (FBS) and Dulbecco's Modified EagleMedium (DMEM) were purchased from Gibco®; cyclophosphamide (CTX,Endoxan®).

Animal facility: Approximately 6 to 8 week-oldBALB/cAnN.Cg-Foxn1^(nu)/Cr1Nar1 female mice were obtained from NationalLaboratory Animal Center, Taiwan. The environment conditions were:temperature: 25±1° C.; humidity: 60±5%; independent air condition;controlled light cycle. Water and food was supplied ad libitumthroughout the study period. The mice were housed according to thestandard procedure of the laboratory animal committee.

Tumor-bearing mice induction: MDA-MB-231 cells (human breast cancercells) were cultured until 5×10⁶ cells, the cells required in injectionof female nude mice were collected with trypsin, and resuspended in PBSsolution for tumor induction. The tumor of nude mice was induced bysubcutaneous injected with 100 μL of cell solution and released backinto the cages to be a normal diet. When the tumor was about 300 mm³,the mice were subjected to topical administration of different doses ofthe extract composition and grouping into CTX group and non-CTX group.The weight, appetite, blood sugar and tumor size growth were observedevery week to assess the appearance of the normal physiological state ofnude mice to understand the efficacy of the extract composition.

Grouping the tumor-bearing mice and treatment: When the tumor was about300 mm³, the mice were subjected to grouping as shown in Table 12. Thechemotherapy drug (an injection a week) was administrated with theextract composition. The treating group was topically applied to thetumor area, skin around the tumor, and the whole back skin with thedosage of 0.1 g/day. After treatment for 5 weeks, the weight, appetite,blood sugar and tumor size growth of the nude mice were observed.

TABLE 12 Tumor Chemotherapy Group induction drag Test article NormalNone None None Tumor MDA-MB-231 None None induction J1 MDA-MB-231 NoneGMC1 induction J2 MDA-MB-231 None 0.3% GMA1 induction NO CTX + L5MDA-MB-231 None GMC1 + 0.5% GMA1 induction CTX MDA-MB-231 CTX/4 Noneinduction injections CTX + L1 MDA-MB-231 CTX/4 Cream base inductioninjections CTX + L5 MDA-MB-231 CTX/4 GMC1 + 0.5% GMA1 inductioninjections

Clinical assessment of tumor-bearing mice: The physiological state andtumor size of the tumor-bearing mice were assessed including weight,appetite, blood sugar and tumor size. The tumor size was calculatedaccording to: tumor volume (mm³)=ab²/2, to assess the tumor growth rate.

Results:

In the model of tumor-bearing nude mice induced by human breast cancercell MDA-MB-231, after the treatment, the extract compositions J1 and J2show effect on inhibiting tumor growth in nude mice (Table 13 and FIG.25). In the physiological state assessment, the extract compositiongroups show better appetite and blood sugar value.

TABLE 13 Tumor size (mm³) Week 0 Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 J1 0.0 63.40126.23 369.51 J2 0.0 −2.02 26.83 182.19 Tumor 0.00 72.69 380.71 696.90

In GMC1+0.5% GMA1 (NO CTX+L5) group, it shows that the extractcomposition inhibits the tumor growth in nude mice (FIG. 26).

Compared to the normal group, the physiological state and tumor growthof the tumor+chemotherapy drug group (CTX group), extractcomposition+chemotherapy drug group (CTX+L1 and CTX+L5 groups) wasassessed. Referring to Table 14 and FIGS. 26 and 27, the results ofCTX+L1 and CTX+L5 groups show enhancing effect of the chemotherapy drugon eliminating tumor in the tumor-bearing mice administrated with thechemotherapy drug without affecting the body weight, the average foodintake and the average blood sugar (Tables 15 to 17).

TABLE 14 tumor size elimination (mm³) 4/28 5/2 5/5 5/9 5/12 5/16 5/195/23 5/26 5/30 Normal 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00Tumor 0.00 108.05 364.31 428.36 627.45 874.62 1295.63 1961.51 2727.562938.30 CTX 0.00 99.61 78.95 −19.52 −45.11 −157.57 −176.41 −264.85−293.68 −391.42 CTX + L1 0.00 89.22 113.36 21.27 −46.75 −138.97 −179.55−224.38 −294.03 −384.43 CTX + L5 0.00 149.85 173.28 48.54 −56.91 −170.01−220.34 −274.15 −338.79 −510.04

TABLE 15 average body weight (g) 4/28 5/2 5/5 5/9 5/12 5/16 5/19 5/235/26 5/30 Normal 20.61 21.34 20.91 21.16 20.31 21.13 20.41 21.90 21.6321.96 Tumor 19.64 19.11 20.03 18.75 18.57 20.22 20.48 21.36 21.74 22.67CTX 19.64 20.04 18.46 19.00 19.51 20.99 20.42 21.16 20.21 22.18 CTX + L120.05 20.59 18.72 19.34 18.79 19.23 19.98 20.08 19.94 21.31 CTX + L519.12 19.51 18.45 19.09 19.23 19.61 19.93 19.69 19.03 20.52

TABLE 16 average food intake (g) 5/5~5/9 5/9~5/12 5/12~5/16 5/16~5/195/19~5/23 5/23~5/26 5/26~5/30 Normal 4.95 4.75 5.18 4.69 4.52 4.37 4.50Tumor 4.94 4.48 4.56 4.75 4.25 4.65 4.20 CTX 4.89 5.61 5.38 5.21 4.704.76 5.22 CTX + L1 4.45 4.58 4.88 4.64 4.08 4.01 4.46 CTX + L5 4.60 5.124.47 5.09 4.36 4.21 4.62

TABLE 17 average blood sugar (dL) 5/2 5/9 5/16 5/23 5/30 Normal 110 8499 97 98 Tumor 60 66 82 89 74 CTX 113 93 109 122 108 CTX + L1 110 93 9299 101 CTX + L5 110 109 104 106 102

Clinically, one of the main reasons for abandonment of cancer treatmentis cancer pain caused by cancer. It is found that cancer pain is causedin part by the tumor, mainly due to the inflammation and nervecompression caused by tumor invasion to the internal organs, peripheralnerves, and bones. The extract composition can effectively inhibit tumorgrowth, and also suppress cancer pain caused by cancer in part, and ishelpful in the treatment.

While the present invention has been described in conjunction with thespecific embodiments set forth above, many alternatives thereto andmodifications and variations thereof will be apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art. All such alternatives, modifications andvariations are regarded as falling within the scope of the presentinvention.

1. An extract composition comprising a soybean seed extract, whichsoybean seed extract is prepared by a process comprising steps of: (a)providing soybean seeds and an extracting solution, which extractingsolution is water or an alcohol solution containing alcohol at theconcentration lower than about 90 wt %; (b) extracting the soybean seedswith the extracting solution at a barometric pressure lower than about 1atm and at a temperature lower than about 60° C. to obtain an crudeextract; and (c) removing solids from the crude extract to obtain aliquid portion.
 2. The extract composition according to claim 1, whereinthe process for preparing the soybean seed extract further comprises astep (d) of concentrating the liquid portion obtained in the step (c) toobtain a concentrated solid portion.
 3. The extract compositionaccording to claim 2, wherein the process for preparing the soybean seedextract further comprises a step (e) of drying the concentrated solidportion obtained in the step (d).
 4. The extract composition accordingto claim 1, further comprising a soybean seed vapor fraction, whichsoybean seed vapor fraction is prepared by a process comprising stepsof: (i) providing soybean seeds in a second extracting solution, whichsecond extracting solution is water or an alcohol solution containingalcohol at the concentration lower than about 15 wt %; and (ii)extracting the soybean seeds with the second extracting solution at abarometric pressure lower than about 1 atm and at a temperature lowerthan about 110° C. and collecting the vapor fraction.
 5. The extractcomposition according to claim 4, wherein the alcohol solution in step(i) contains alcohol at the concentration lower than about 5 wt %. 6.The extract composition according to claim 4, wherein the content of thesoybean seed extract is from about 0.001 wt % to about 5 wt %; and thecontent of the soybean seed vapor fraction is from about 95 wt % toabout 99.999 wt %.
 7. A method for preparing the extract compositionaccording to claim 1 comprising a process for preparing the soybean seedextract comprising steps of: (a) providing soybean seeds and anextracting solution, which extracting solution is water or an alcoholsolution containing alcohol at the concentration lower than about 90 wt%; (b) extracting the soybean seeds with the extracting solution at abarometric pressure lower than about 1 atm and at a temperature lowerthan about 60° C. to obtain an crude extract; and (c) removing solidsfrom the crude extract to obtain a liquid portion.
 8. The methodaccording to claim 7, wherein the process for preparing the soybean seedextract further comprises a step (d) of concentrating the liquid portionobtained in the step (c) to obtain a concentrated solid portion.
 9. Themethod according to claim 7, wherein the process for preparing thesoybean seed extract further comprises a step (e) of drying theconcentrated solid portion obtained in the step (d).
 10. A method forpromoting wound healing in a subject in need of such promotioncomprising administering to said subject an effective amount of theextract composition according to claim
 1. 11. The method according toclaim 10, which is for promoting skin cell migration.
 12. The methodaccording to claim 11, wherein the skin cell is a keratinocyte.
 13. Themethod according to claim 10, wherein the wound is a diabetic wound. 14.A method for promoting neuron cell proliferation and/or treating braindiseases and/or neurodegenerative diseases in a subject in need of suchpromotion and/or treatment comprising administering to said subject aneffective amount of the extract composition according to claim
 1. 15.The method according to claim 14, wherein the neuron cell is aneuroblastoma cell.
 16. The method according to claim 14, wherein thebrain diseases and/or neurodegenerative diseases are selected from thegroup consisting of vascular dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson'sdisease, cerebral vascular disease, inflammatory brain injury, braindamage surrounding inflammatory response, brain lesions, cerebralhematoma, swelling ventricle and ventricular dilatation.
 17. A methodfor treating breast cancer in a subject in need of such treatmentcomprising administering to said subject an effective amount of theextract composition according to claim
 1. 18. The method according toclaim 17, wherein the breast cancer is the breast cancer with p53 mutanttype.
 19. A method for reducing side effects of interfering with DNAand/or RNA replication drugs and/or enhancing pharmaceutical effects ofinterfering with DNA and/or RNA replication drugs in a subject in needof such reduction and/or enhancement comprising administering to saidsubject an effective amount of the extract composition according toclaim
 1. 20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the interferingwith DNA and/or RNA replication drugs are selected from the groupconsisting of cyclophosphamide, temozolomide, hexamethylmelamine,platinum complexes, bleomycin, vinblastine, vincristine, paclitaxel,docetaxel, folic acid antagonists, purine antagonists, and pyrimidineantagonists.